My parents went to see the original production in the early 70’s and bought the album. We later performed our own little production of this scene at our church for the Youth ministry at our church. Such fond memories of this wonderful cast, soundtrack and play!!!
I'd seen the play when I was a kid. My mother took us, and also she planned a trip to NY to see it there (I wasn't invited to that one grow folks only trip) she also had the soundtrack, which I played every day . I knew Mr. Little played Purlie but never saw him thus us the 1st time I've ever seen him in the role. Robert Guillaume played Purlie. I remember my Mr. Guillaume and Mr. Hemsley gave us their autographed . I love the play and Soundtrack ❤❤
When Broadway shows performed on Ed Sullivan did they bring their own conductor, key musicians? In this show a pianist , bass player and drummer would be essential. The orchestra on Sullivan was good but this number has special cues, and I know from experience that nor even today, not all show musicians can play gospel. Another one that May have needed special musicians is West Side Story. They did Cool and there were a lot of special cues. Bernstein’s music would have been challenging for all but the most flexible orchestras
I would imagine it would be unlikely that they'd bring in anyone from the orchestra of any of the shows. Since Sullivan was broadcast live, the physical challenge of getting people in place would be tough but mainly the cost would be an issue. They do sound amazing and very much like the orchestra sounds on the album. I did a little research and this is what I found (Wikipedia): In the early years of television, both CBS and NBC networks had their own symphony orchestras. NBC's was conducted by Arturo Toscanini and CBS's by Alfredo Antonini. The Ed Sullivan Show (originally presented as: The Toast Of The Town) was basically a musical variety show, and thus members of the CBS orchestra were folded into the Ed Sullivan Show Orchestra, conducted by Ray Bloch. During the early days of television, the demands on studio musicians were many-tiered. They needed to be proficient in all genres of music, from classical, to jazz and to rock and roll. The Ed Sullivan Show would regularly feature singers from the Metropolitan Opera and the staff orchestra would accompany divas such as Eileen Farrell, Maria Callas or Joan Sutherland. The musicians needed to be prepared to switch gears for Ella Fitzgerald, Diahann Carroll or Sammy Davis, Jr. and then onto The Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder or Tom Jones or Itzhak Perlman. They also needed to perform with some of the greatest dancers and ballerinas of the time, from Gregory Hines, Juliet Prowse, Maria Tallchief[15] or Margo Fonteyn to the Peter Gennaro dancers. In the process, the musicians collaborated with several internationally recognized ballet troupes including: Ruth Page's Chicago Opera Ballet, the London Festival Ballet, Roland Petit's Ballets de Paris and Russia's Igor Moiseyev Ballet.[16] Few musicians are capable of crossing over from one genre to another. However, each member of the Ed Sullivan Show Orchestra was a specialist and more than capable of covering the complete spectrum of music.
The wonderful Linda Hopkins is the soloist. She also happens to be the first pop singer to use the whistle register.
My parents went to see the original production in the early 70’s and bought the album. We later performed our own little production of this scene at our church for the Youth ministry at our church. Such fond memories of this wonderful cast, soundtrack and play!!!
One of Broadway's more memorable musicals ....time for a well cast revival, PLEASE!
Cleavon Little & Sherman Helmsley on Ed Sullivan Sullivan show together! God bless their souls!
saw cleavon on Broadway....omg.....what a night in the theatre,,,,,,,wonderful
I'd seen the play when I was a kid. My mother took us, and also she planned a trip to NY to see it there (I wasn't invited to that one grow folks only trip) she also had the soundtrack, which I played every day . I knew Mr. Little played Purlie but never saw him thus us the 1st time I've ever seen him in the role. Robert Guillaume played Purlie.
I remember my Mr. Guillaume and Mr. Hemsley gave us their autographed . I love the play and Soundtrack ❤❤
I loved reading your story about this stand out production.❤❤
That’s Sherman Hemsley, the future George Jefferson, on the left side.
yeah and this play was the reason it took so long for George to appear on screen.
He played brother "Gitmo."
@@MrReggieLew Gitlow.
Loved this!!!
Saw purlie w melba more and original cast In new york 1970
The witty, talented and beautiful Helen Martin from Good Times and 227 is the piano player with her back turned most of the time.
Incredible. ❤
I believe this is the show, Ms. Melba Moore was in.
She played the role of Ludiebelle Gussiemae Jenkins. She won a Tony award.
You are correct.
My mouth was wide open for the entire video.
INCREDIBLE ❤🙏
Linda Hopkins is the soloist, I think.🤔
Absolutely - Linda Hopkins. And as amazing as she always was!
I'd go see this!
When Broadway shows performed on Ed Sullivan did they bring their own conductor, key musicians? In this show a pianist , bass player and drummer would be essential. The orchestra on Sullivan was good but this number has special cues, and I know from experience that nor even today, not all show musicians can play gospel. Another one that May have needed special musicians is West Side Story. They did Cool and there were a lot of special cues. Bernstein’s music would have been challenging for all but the most flexible orchestras
I would imagine it would be unlikely that they'd bring in anyone from the orchestra of any of the shows. Since Sullivan was broadcast live, the physical challenge of getting people in place would be tough but mainly the cost would be an issue. They do sound amazing and very much like the orchestra sounds on the album. I did a little research and this is what I found (Wikipedia): In the early years of television, both CBS and NBC networks had their own symphony orchestras. NBC's was conducted by Arturo Toscanini and CBS's by Alfredo Antonini. The Ed Sullivan Show (originally presented as: The Toast Of The Town) was basically a musical variety show, and thus members of the CBS orchestra were folded into the Ed Sullivan Show Orchestra, conducted by Ray Bloch. During the early days of television, the demands on studio musicians were many-tiered. They needed to be proficient in all genres of music, from classical, to jazz and to rock and roll. The Ed Sullivan Show would regularly feature singers from the Metropolitan Opera and the staff orchestra would accompany divas such as Eileen Farrell, Maria Callas or Joan Sutherland. The musicians needed to be prepared to switch gears for Ella Fitzgerald, Diahann Carroll or Sammy Davis, Jr. and then onto The Jackson Five, Stevie Wonder or Tom Jones or Itzhak Perlman. They also needed to perform with some of the greatest dancers and ballerinas of the time, from Gregory Hines, Juliet Prowse, Maria Tallchief[15] or Margo Fonteyn to the Peter Gennaro dancers. In the process, the musicians collaborated with several internationally recognized ballet troupes including: Ruth Page's Chicago Opera Ballet, the London Festival Ballet, Roland Petit's Ballets de Paris and Russia's Igor Moiseyev Ballet.[16] Few musicians are capable of crossing over from one genre to another. However, each member of the Ed Sullivan Show Orchestra was a specialist and more than capable of covering the complete spectrum of music.
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One thing that I am learning is that the Ed Sullivan show showcased the talents of Black people in entertainment where it wasnt popular to do so.
So Melba Moore is not in this clip right?
Is that Bebe in the pew?
That high note was NOT it.